The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails

Allicin is a chemically complex bioactive compound synthesized in many varieties of garlic. The wide range of biological properties of allicin provides the basis for its potential use as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters that are currently prohibited in farm animal breeding. Among the ma...

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Main Authors: Aleksandra Makuch, Monika Ziomek, Magdalena Sapała, Kamil Drabik, Justyna Batkowska, Piotr Domaradzki, Ewelina Patyra, Tomasz Grenda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/906
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author Aleksandra Makuch
Monika Ziomek
Magdalena Sapała
Kamil Drabik
Justyna Batkowska
Piotr Domaradzki
Ewelina Patyra
Tomasz Grenda
author_facet Aleksandra Makuch
Monika Ziomek
Magdalena Sapała
Kamil Drabik
Justyna Batkowska
Piotr Domaradzki
Ewelina Patyra
Tomasz Grenda
author_sort Aleksandra Makuch
collection DOAJ
description Allicin is a chemically complex bioactive compound synthesized in many varieties of garlic. The wide range of biological properties of allicin provides the basis for its potential use as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters that are currently prohibited in farm animal breeding. Among the many benefits resulting from the use of allicin in animal breeding, especially poultry, its modulating effect on intestinal microbiota, which includes the anaerobic spore-forming bacteria of the genus <i>Clostridium</i> spp., seems to be important. The material for this study consists of intestinal content collected from the caecums of Japanese quails (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>). Culture methods were used to isolate the strains, and the obtained isolates were identified based on their phenotypic characteristics. In addition, PCR methods were used for the detection of the <i>ntnh</i> gene-encoding non-haemagglutinin component of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the detection of individual genes responsible for the production of major toxins by <i>Clostridium perfringens</i>, and the amplification of conservative 16S rDNA genes. The 16S rDNA amplicons were subsequently submitted to Sanger sequencing. The obtained sequences were analyzed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). The <i>ntnh</i> gene was not found in the genetic material of the isolated strains. Among the isolates suspected of belonging to the <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> species, the <i>plc</i> gene determining the production of the alpha toxin was detected, which justifies the classification of the strains into toxotype A. The Sanger sequencing results confirm the presence of mainly saprophytic species in the studied material. The statistical analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction in the level of <i>Clostridium</i> spp., obtained by the use of an appropriate dose of allicin. The presented research results indicate the significant impact of an appropriate dose of allicin on reducing the occurrence of anaerobic intestinal microbiota, while providing important information on the potential application of this compound in animal production in the future.
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Animals
spelling doaj-art-7d383c827ae8451ea6f80fb0cd876f752025-08-20T03:06:32ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115790610.3390/ani15070906The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of QuailsAleksandra Makuch0Monika Ziomek1Magdalena Sapała2Kamil Drabik3Justyna Batkowska4Piotr Domaradzki5Ewelina Patyra6Tomasz Grenda7National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Pulawy, PolandDepartment of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandNational Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Pulawy, PolandInstitute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandInstitute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Commodity Science and Animal Raw Materials Processing, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandNational Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Pulawy, PolandNational Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Pulawy, PolandAllicin is a chemically complex bioactive compound synthesized in many varieties of garlic. The wide range of biological properties of allicin provides the basis for its potential use as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters that are currently prohibited in farm animal breeding. Among the many benefits resulting from the use of allicin in animal breeding, especially poultry, its modulating effect on intestinal microbiota, which includes the anaerobic spore-forming bacteria of the genus <i>Clostridium</i> spp., seems to be important. The material for this study consists of intestinal content collected from the caecums of Japanese quails (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>). Culture methods were used to isolate the strains, and the obtained isolates were identified based on their phenotypic characteristics. In addition, PCR methods were used for the detection of the <i>ntnh</i> gene-encoding non-haemagglutinin component of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the detection of individual genes responsible for the production of major toxins by <i>Clostridium perfringens</i>, and the amplification of conservative 16S rDNA genes. The 16S rDNA amplicons were subsequently submitted to Sanger sequencing. The obtained sequences were analyzed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). The <i>ntnh</i> gene was not found in the genetic material of the isolated strains. Among the isolates suspected of belonging to the <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> species, the <i>plc</i> gene determining the production of the alpha toxin was detected, which justifies the classification of the strains into toxotype A. The Sanger sequencing results confirm the presence of mainly saprophytic species in the studied material. The statistical analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction in the level of <i>Clostridium</i> spp., obtained by the use of an appropriate dose of allicin. The presented research results indicate the significant impact of an appropriate dose of allicin on reducing the occurrence of anaerobic intestinal microbiota, while providing important information on the potential application of this compound in animal production in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/906<i>Clostridium botulinum</i><i>Clostridium perfringens</i><i>Clostridium</i> spp.allicinpolymerase chain reactionmicrobiological contamination
spellingShingle Aleksandra Makuch
Monika Ziomek
Magdalena Sapała
Kamil Drabik
Justyna Batkowska
Piotr Domaradzki
Ewelina Patyra
Tomasz Grenda
The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
Animals
<i>Clostridium botulinum</i>
<i>Clostridium perfringens</i>
<i>Clostridium</i> spp.
allicin
polymerase chain reaction
microbiological contamination
title The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
title_full The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
title_fullStr The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
title_short The Impact of Allicin on the Growth of <i>Clostridium</i> spp. in the Digestive Track of Quails
title_sort impact of allicin on the growth of i clostridium i spp in the digestive track of quails
topic <i>Clostridium botulinum</i>
<i>Clostridium perfringens</i>
<i>Clostridium</i> spp.
allicin
polymerase chain reaction
microbiological contamination
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/906
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